Author: Brandon Peoples

A Monday hearing on a new bill that would establish an Education Funding Task Force, while eliminating a Special Education Task Force is being met with some criticism from education officials. House Republicans have continually expressed frustration with the cost and academic effectiveness of the current school funding formula. House Bill 2594, which is tied to the plan, would grant the GOP power to appoint six of 11 voting members of the task force as well as control over who chairs the panel. Ann Mah, of Topeka, who serves on the state Board of Education, shared concerns with the proposed…

The Kansas Supreme Court released an order Monday to reinstate electronic filing requirements in the state’s district courts. The order takes effect Wednesday, requiring attorneys and other e-filing users to electronically file in cases that exist in the Kansas Courts eFiling system, except for appeals to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court. The order also requires all new cases to be initiated through the e-filing system, except appeals made to the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court. Since regaining access to the Kansas eCourt case management system in mid-December, district courts have been updating it with new cases…

A St. George man was hospitalized following an injury crash in Manhattan. It happened just after 10:30 Monday in the 300 block of East Poyntz between a passenger car and an SUV. RCPD says 61-year-old Robert Bellinder was transported for treatment of non life-threatening injuries. The other driver, 21-year-old Erica Arnold, of Wamego, had no listed injuries. She was cited for an improper right turn.

Snow events this month proved to be costly for Pottawatomie County Public Works. During his update Monday, Public Works Administrator Tim Eisenbarth noted the month saw 726 overtime hours worked at a cost of over $28,000, using approximately 3,500 gallons of fuel and 104 tons of salt-sand mixture. He says the little downtime crews did have this month was usually spent pulling each other out of the snow along with private citizens and delivery trucks. He says road conditions remain rough across the county. The conditions may have done a number on roads, but it also depleted some of the…

An Ogden man has been identified as the suspect in a Riley County rape investigation. The Riley County Police Department says 26-year-old Jacob Thompson was arrested early Friday in the 200 block of East 9th Street in Junction City on a probable cause offense of rape. The incident was reported to police Thursday, when two women told they were sexually assaulted by the same male suspect. An online criminal complaint alleges the incident from Jan. 24. According to the Kansas Department of Corrections, Thompson has two previous convictions for burglary. He remains jailed on a $250,000 bond.

Congress continues to work through short-term budget discussion in Washington, D.C. as it looks to avoid yet another possible government shutdown. Kansas Congressman Jake LaTurner joined KMAN Friday and says Republicans are continuing to press the Biden administration on some key policy issues, including a secure southern border and stopping the flow of human trafficking and drugs. LaTurner says Republicans have a plan and are standing firm on it as he says they believe a majority of the American people are with them on this issue. He says Republicans remain adamant about cutting the $33 trillion deficit, and says continuing resolutions “are a terrible…

Fort Riley officials say there was never any harm to the public after reports Friday morning of an armed individual near Merli Road. Military police located an individual ruck-marching with a training aid. The soldier posed no risk to the public at any time. The incident caused both Seitz and Fort Riley Elementary to briefly to be put in a secure in place Friday morning, which has since been lifted. A Geary County Schools spokesperson says schools are not in any danger. Law enforcement will be present at all schools on post for the remainder of the day.

No injuries were reported after a mobile home fire Thursday evening near Randolph. Riley County Fire District No. 1 was dispatched around 5:30 p.m. to the home at 15950 Winkler Road. Officials say one person was home at the time and was able to escape without injury. The house was a total loss. Crews remained on scene well into the evening to monitor conditions and perform salvage work. The State Fire Marshal is investigating but says foul play is not suspected.

A Manhattan woman sustained minor injuries following a Thursday crash near the intersection of Wreath and Anderson Ave. It happened just after 5 p.m. when an SUV struck a passenger car. RCPD cited 36-year-old Megan Corral, of Riley, for following too close. Police say 59-year-old Argelia Adame was transported to Via Christi for treatment, but wasn’t seriously hurt in the crash.

Riley County Police are investigating a pair of rapes alleged Thursday evening in Ogden. Police say two women, aged 19 and 22, reported they were sexually assaulted by the same 26-year-old male suspect. The suspect Jacob Thompson of Ogden is charged with one count of rape and is currently being held on a $250,000 bond. Due to the nature of the crimes, no further details are being released.